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A money-laundering allegation: tracing the funds

A transaction or source of money is questioned. Ask which funds, period and conduct are involved. A bank concern and a criminal finding of money laundering are different steps.

Duration: 1:31

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This video summarises the main points. The full article provides more detail, exceptions and official sources. This information does not replace advice about your case.

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Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

A transaction or source of money is questioned. Ask which funds, period and conduct are involved. A bank concern and a criminal finding of money laundering are different steps.

Gather bank statements, agreements and original payment records that explain the relevant transactions. Distinguish the source of the money from later transfers between accounts.

Discuss which parts of your explanation can be checked and which records are missing. Do not invent details or present a newly created document as evidence made at the time.

You do not have to prove your innocence. A concrete and verifiable explanation can nevertheless be important and may require further investigation. Discuss the applicable legal position with your lawyer.

A blocked account or seized money raises questions separate from the ultimate criminal judgment. Keep each notice and decision. Ask which procedure applies to each measure.

Make an overview of the questioned funds and the records available for each step. Ask your lawyer what requires further checking and how information should be presented in the proceedings.

Read the full explanation on the Criminal Law in the Netherlands website.

Understand the supporting sources

Sources and supporting information

Here you can find the sources for this page. Open the original publication for the full explanation, conditions and exceptions.

  1. Criminal Code: descriptions of offences, age and conditionsOpens in a new tabwetten.overheid.nlhttps://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001854/
  2. Supreme Court, March 17, 2026, ECLI:NL:HR:2026:441: money laundering suspicion, statement and investigationOpens in a new tabuitspraken.rechtspraak.nlhttps://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/details?id=ECLI:NL:HR:2026:441
  3. FIU-Netherlands: money laundering, criminal origin and manifestationsOpens in a new tabfiu-nederland.nlhttps://www.fiu-nederland.nl/home/wat-is-witwassen/
  4. Police: money mule, account use and consequencesOpens in a new tabpolitie.nlhttps://www.politie.nl/onderwerpen/money-mule.html
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